Hinge and applications thereof

ABSTRACT

A hinge structure may comprise a first assembly including a central post with an outer surface and a first connector element on the central post for mounting on a first structure, a second assembly pivotally coupled to the first assembly and including a ring extending about the central post, a ring connector connected to the ring, and a second connector element on the ring for mounting on a second structure. A braking element may apply a selectable amount of resistance to pivot movement of the second connector element with respect to the first connector element and including a friction pad extending about a portion of the central post, a pressure band for pressing the friction pad against the central post, and a connecting structure connecting the ends of the band and being adjustable to move the ends closer toward each other and to relax the ends away from each other.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/697,710, filed Apr. 28, 2015, which is hereby incorporatedby reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND Field

The present disclosure relates to hinges and more particularly pertainsto a new hinge for providing an adjustable degree of resistance to pivotmovement between two structures.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to a hinge structure forconnecting a first structure to a second in a pivotal manner. The hingestructure may comprise a first assembly for mounting on a firststructure, with the first assembly including a central post with anouter surface and a first connector element mounted on the central post.The first connector element may be configured to mount on the firststructure. The hinge structure may also include a second assembly formounting on a second structure, with the second assembly being pivotallycoupled to the first assembly. The second assembly may include at leastone ring extending about the central post, a ring connector connected tothe at least one ring, and a second connector element mounted on the atleast one ring. The second connector element may be configured to mounton the second structure. The hinge structure may further include abraking element configured to apply a selectable amount of resistance topivot movement of the second connector element with respect to the firstconnector element. The braking element may be positioned between thefirst assembly and the second assembly. The braking element may comprisea friction pad extending about a portion of the central post in contactwith the outer surface of the post, and a pressure band for pressing thefriction pad against the central post, the pressure band extending aboutthe central shaft of the first assembly and the ring connector of thesecond assembly, with the pressure band being elongated with oppositeends. The braking element may also include a connecting structureconnecting the ends of the pressure band and being adjustable to movethe ends of the pressure band closer toward each other and beingadjustable to relax the ends away from each other.

In another aspect, the disclosure relates to a system that may comprisea first structure, a second structure, and a hinge structure connectingthe first structure to the second structure in a pivotal manner. Thehinge structure may comprise a first assembly for mounting on a firststructure, with the first assembly including a central post with anouter surface and a first connector element mounted on the central post.The first connector element may be mounted on the first structure. Thehinge structure may also include a second assembly for mounting on asecond structure, with the second assembly being pivotally coupled tothe first assembly. The second assembly may include at least one ringextending about the central post, a ring connector connected to the atleast one ring, and a second connector element mounted on the at leastone ring. The second connector element may be mounted on the secondstructure. The hinge structure may further include a braking elementconfigured to apply a selectable amount of resistance to pivot movementof the second connector element with respect to the first connectorelement. The braking element may be positioned between the firstassembly and the second assembly. The braking element may comprise afriction pad extending about a portion of the central post in contactwith the outer surface of the post, and a pressure band for pressing thefriction pad against the central post, the pressure band extending aboutthe central shaft of the first assembly and the ring connector of thesecond assembly, with the pressure band being elongated with oppositeends. The braking element may also include a connecting structureconnecting the ends of the pressure band and being adjustable to movethe ends of the pressure band closer toward each other and beingadjustable to relax the ends away from each other.

In still another aspect, the disclosure is directed to a hinge structurefor connecting a first structure to a second in a pivotal manner. Thehinge structure may comprise a first assembly for mounting on the firststructure, with the first assembly having a first compression surfaceand a first connector element associated with the first compressionsurface. The first connector element may be configured to mount on thefirst structure, and a first pivot aperture may extend through the firstcompression surface. The hinge structure may also include a secondassembly for mounting on the second structure, with the second assemblyhaving a second compression surface positioned in opposition to thefirst compression surface of the first assembly and a second connectorelement associated with the second compression surface. The secondconnector element may be configured to mount on the second structure,and a second pivot aperture may extend through the second compressionsurface. The hinge structure may also comprise a braking elementconfigured to apply a selectable amount of resistance to pivot movementof the second connector element with respect to the first connectorelement. The braking element may be positioned between the firstassembly and the second assembly. The braking element may comprise afriction pad positioned between the first compression surface and thesecond compression surface, and the friction pad may be mounted to movewith one surface of the first compression surface and the secondcompression surface. The hinge structure may also include a connectorfastener pivotally connecting the second assembly to the first assembly.The connector fastener may extend through the first and second pivotapertures such that tightening of the connector fastener tends to movethe first and second compression surfaces toward each other to compressthe friction pad and increase resistance to pivot movement of theassemblies with respect to each other, and such that loosening of theconnector fastener tends to permit movement of the first and secondcompression surfaces away from each other to decompress the friction padand decrease resistance to pivot movement of the assemblies with respectto each other.

In yet another aspect, the disclosure relates to a hinge structure forconnecting a first structure to a second in a pivotal manner. The hingestructure may comprise a first assembly configured for mounting on afirst structure and a second assembly configured for mounting on asecond structure pivotally mounted on the first structure. One of thefirst and second assemblies may form a bayonet section and an other oneof the first and second assemblies may form a sheath section, with atleast a portion of the bayonet section being slidably inserted into thesheath section, the bayonet section having an outer surface. Thestructure may also include a braking element which is configured toapply a selectable amount of resistance to sliding movement of thebayonet section with respect to the sheath section. The braking elementmay be mounted on the sheath section to act on the bayonet section. Thebraking element may comprise at least one friction pad positionedadjacent to and in contact with the outer surface of the bayonetsection, and a pressure band for pressing the at least one friction padagainst the outer surface of the bayonet section. The pressure band maybe mounted on the sheath section and extending about the bayonetsection, and the pressure band being elongated with opposite ends. Thebraking element may also include a connecting structure connecting theends of the pressure band and being adjustable to move the ends of thepressure band closer toward each other to increase pressure on the atleast one friction pad against the bayonet and being adjustable to relaxthe ends away from each other to decrease pressure on the at least onefriction pad against the bayonet.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, some of the more importantelements of the disclosure in order that the detailed descriptionthereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that thepresent contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There areadditional elements of the disclosure that will be described hereinafterand which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment orimplementation in greater detail, it is to be understood that the scopeof the disclosure is not limited in its application to the details ofconstruction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in thefollowing description or illustrated in the drawings. The disclosure iscapable of other embodiments and implementations and is thus capable ofbeing practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to beunderstood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are forthe purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception,upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basisfor the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carryingout the several purposes of the present disclosure. It is important,therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalentconstructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope ofthe present disclosure.

The advantages of the various embodiments of the present disclosure,along with the various features of novelty that characterize thedisclosure, are disclosed in the following descriptive matter andaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure will be better understood and when consideration is givento the drawings and the detailed description which follows. Suchdescription makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of an illustrative embodiment of asystem including a new hinge structure according to the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the hinge structure, according to anillustrative embodiment.

FIG. 3A is a schematic sectional view of the illustrative embodiment ofthe hinge structure shown in FIG. 2 taken along line 3A-3A.

FIG. 3B is a schematic sectional view of the illustrative embodiment ofthe hinge structure shown in FIG. 2 taken along line 3B-3B.

FIG. 4 is a schematic side view of a partially assembled hinge structureincluding elements of the second assembly of the hinge structure,according to an illustrative embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a schematic side view of a partially assembled hinge structureincluding elements of the first and second assemblies as well as thebraking element the hinge structure, according to an illustrativeembodiment.

FIG. 6 is a schematic front side view of an aerodynamic panel system fora vehicle trailer utilizing the hinge structure, according to anillustrative embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a schematic rear side view of the aerodynamic panel system fora vehicle trailer utilizing the hinge structure, according to anillustrative embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a schematic side view of another configuration of the hingestructure, according to an illustrative embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a schematic cross sectional view of the configuration of FIG.8, according to an illustrative embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a schematic side view of a variation of the hinge structureof FIG. 8, according to an illustrative embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a schematic side view of another configuration of the hingestructure, according to an illustrative embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a schematic perspective view of another embodiment of thehinge structure, according to an illustrative embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the embodiment ofthe hinge structure shown in FIG. 12, according to an illustrativeembodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through13 thereof, a new hinge embodying the principles and concepts of thedisclosed subject matter will be described.

In some aspects, the disclosure relates to a hinge structure 16providing an adjustable degree of resistance to pivot movement betweentwo structures, and in other aspects the disclosure relates to a system10 that generally includes the hinge structure 16 as well as a first 12and a second 14 structure with the hinge structure 16 connecting thefirst and second structures together to permit pivot movement of thestructures 12, 14 with respect to each other. The hinge structure 16 maybe adjustable to provide an adjustable degree of resistance to therelative pivot movement of the structures 12, 14 with respect to eachother. In some embodiments, the hinge may be adjustable to providesubstantially no resistance to the relative pivot movement tosubstantially complete resistance to the relative pivot movement. Theadjustability of the degree of resistance to pivot movement may bevirtually infinite in that there may not be discrete degrees orincrements of resistance provided by the hinge structure 16, and ratherthe degree of resistance can be varied along a continuum.

The hinge structure 16 may include a first assembly 20 which isconfigured to be attached to or mounted on one of the structures 12, 14.In the illustrative embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 through 5, for example,the first assembly 20 may include a central post 22 with an outersurface 24 and with a bottom 28 and a top 32. In some embodiments, thecentral post 22 may be formed by a bolt and nut or nuts, or otherfastener. The first assembly 20 may also include a bottom retainermember 26 mounted on the central post toward the bottom 28 and a topretainer member 30 mounted on the central post toward the top 32. Thefirst assembly 20 may further include a first connector element 34 whichis mounted on the central post, and the first connector element may beconfigured to mount on one of the structures 12, 14. The first connectorelement 34 may be configured to move as a unit with the post 22, suchthat connector element 34 rotates with the post.

The hinge structure 16 may also include a second assembly 36 which isconfigured to be attached to the other one of the structures 12, 14which is not attached to the first assembly 20. The second assembly 36may be pivotably coupled to the first assembly 20 such that theassemblies 20, 36 are able to move pivotally with respect to each other.The range of pivot movement of the second assembly with respect to thefirst assembly may be up to approximately 180 degrees or more. In theillustrative embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 through 5, the second assembly36 may include at least one ring extending about the central post 22,and in some embodiments includes a pair of rings including a first ring40 and a second ring 42 with each of the rings extending about thecentral post. The first and second rings may be spaced from each otheralong a longitudinal axis of the central post to thereby form a gap 44between the first 40 and second 42 rings. A ring connector 46 mayconnect the first and second rings together with the connector 46bridging between the first and second rings across the gap between therings. The ring connector may be elongated in a direction substantiallyparallel to the longitudinal axis of the post 22, and may be curved in alateral direction to fit more closed to the surface of the post. Apositioning pin 47 may be mounted on the ring connector 46 and mayextend radially outwardly from the surface of the ring connector. Insome embodiments, the rings and ring connector are formed out of asingle piece of material, although other separate pieces may be used toform the separate elements, and they may be connected together by somesuitable method. The second assembly 36 may also include a secondconnector element 48 which is mounted on at least one of the rings. Thesecond connector element 48 may be configured to mount on the particularstructure 12, 14 to which the second assembly is mounted. In someembodiments, the second connector element 48 may have an end portionthat forms an aperture for receiving a portion of the post, and the endportion may be joined to one of the rings 40, 42. The second connectorelement may be bifurcated into two end portions with each of the endportions being attached to one of the rings 40, 42.

A braking structure 50 may be configured to apply the selectable amountof resistance to relative pivot movement of the structures 12, 14 withrespect to each other. The braking structure may be positioned orlocated between the first assembly 20 and the second assembly 36 of thehinge structure. The braking structure may include a friction pad 52extending about a portion of the central post and may be generally incontact with the outer surface 24 of the post. In some embodiments, thefriction pad 52 may be substantially cylindrical in shape with a slit 54forming a space between ends of the pad to permit constriction of thefriction pad about the outer surface 24 of the central post. In someembodiment, the size of the slit between the ends is sufficient toaccommodate the ring connector with room to permit constriction of thepad about the post. The friction pad 52 may be positioned in the gap 44between the first 40 and second 42 rings of the second assembly 36. Thefriction pad 52 may be formed of a material having a relatively highcoefficient of friction, such as material used for brake linings. Asuitable material may have a degree of flexibility to facilitatewrapping of the material about the post in a manner that keeps thematerial in contact with the surface of the post. One illustrativematerial is available as a brake lining material under the product no.M9010-1 from Raymark Friction Company, 123 E Stiegel St., Manheim, Pa.,17545-1626, although other materials from other sources may also besuitable for forming the friction pad.

The braking structure may further include a pressure band 36 which isconfigured to press the friction pad against the outer surface of thecentral post, and the pressure band may extend about the central shaftin a generally cylindrical configuration. The pressure band 56 may beelongated with opposite ends which are positioned proximate to eachother but may not form a complete cylindrical structure. The oppositeends may include a first end 58 and a second end 59. The brakingstructure 50 may also include at least one cinch plate 60 being mountedon one of the ends of the pressure band 56. In some embodiments, each ofthe opposite ends 58, 59 of the pressure band 56 have a cinch platemounted thereon, with a first cinch plate 60 being mounted on the firstend 58 and a second cinch plate 62 being mounted on the second end 59 ofthe pressure band. At least one of the cinch plates may have an aperture64 formed therein, and each of the plates may have an aperture formedtherein. The first 60 and second 62 cinch plates may have respectiveopposing faces 66, 67 that are generally oriented substantially parallelto each other. The end portions of the pressure band 56 may bepositioned between the opposing faces 66, 67, and an aperture may beformed in the band in alignment with the aperture (or apertures) 64 inthe cinch plates. Optionally, a section of the end portion of the bandmay be wrapped about an outer edge of one or both of the cinch plates. Ahole 57 may be formed in the pressure band 36 and the hole may bepositioned on the band to receive the positioning pin 47 to resistmovement of the band about the post to facilitate alignment of the ends58, 59 and the cinch plates 60, 62 generally with the ring connector tomaximize the contact of the band with the friction pad 52.

The braking structure 50 may also include a spacer 68 which ispositioned between the cinch plates to facilitate orientation of theopposing faces 66, 67 of the cinch plates in a substantially parallelorientation with respect to each other and in some embodiments toprovide a fulcrum function to facilitate tightening of the band aboutthe friction pad 52 and the post 22. In some embodiments, the spacer ismounted on one of the cinch plates 60, 62 and may be positioned adjacentto the aperture 64. The spacer 68 may be positioned on the cinch plateon an opposite side of the aperture from the pressure band 56, such asat the outer edge of the cinch plate.

The braking structure may also include a connecting structure 70 forconnecting the ends of the pressure band together and may be adjustableto move the opposite ends 58, 59 of the band towards each other and alsobeing adjustable to permit the ends to move away from each other suchthat the pressure applied by the pressure band to the friction pad 52may be adjusted. In some embodiments, the connecting structure 70includes a fastener 72 connecting the cinch plates together such thattightening of the fastener moves the cinch plates together as well asthe end portions of the pressure band. Loosening of the fastener 72 maypermit the cinch plates and the end portions of the band to move apartfrom each other. In the illustrative embodiments, the fastener 72includes a shaft 74, a head 76 that is formed on the shaft 74, with atleast a portion of the shaft being threaded. The fastener 72 may alsoinclude a nut 78 which is threaded on the shaft. The shaft of thefastener may pass through the aperture 64 of at least one of the cinchplates, but optionally passes through the apertures in both cinch plates60, 62 as well as any apertures in the end portions of the band.Optionally, the fastener may be fixedly mounted to one of the cinchplates in a more permanent fashion, and the shaft 74 may pass through anaperture in the other one of the cinch plates. Other suitable means maybe used to move the plates together, such as a clamping structure actingon the plates or the end portions of the band.

Other aspects of the disclosure regard the nature of the first 12 andsecond 14 structures that are connected by the hinge structure 16.Suitable applications for the hinge structure are numerous, assituations where a hinge with an easily adjustable degree of pivotresistance is advantageous.

One illustrative application for the hinge is the mounting of a panel ona vehicle for enhancing the aerodynamic characteristics of the vehicle.For example, panels may be added to the underside or the backside of asemi-trailer for aerodynamic advantage. However, such panels need toextend down close to the road surface for the maximum beneficial effect,such that also makes the panel vulnerable to damage from debris or snowon the roadway, high spots in the curb cuts of driveways or any otherhigh spots in the ground surface over which the vehicle is traveling.

One highly advantageous solution to such challenges is to have abifurcated panel assembly in which an upper panel is relatively rigidlyconnected to the underside of the trailer, and a lower panel is mountedto move with respect to the upper panel. Such an approach is mostbeneficial if the lower panel is not easily moved by lower levels offorce, such as by the air pressure exerted on the panel during highwaytravel, but can be moved by the application of higher levels of force,such as by impact of roadway debris or a high spot in the road surfacewith the lower panel that might be capable of damaging the lower panel.The adjustable degree of resistance to pivot movement of the hinge ofthe disclosure may permit the lower panel in such an application to movein response to higher levels of force but not lower levels.

Illustratively, the first structure 12 may comprise an upper panel 80,which may be a relatively thin panel in thickness and may have a firstface 82 and a second face 83 located opposite of the first face. Thepanel 80 may be oriented substantially vertically such that the facesare substantially vertical, and the first panel may also besubstantially rigidly held in position. The first panel 80 may have afirst edge 86 and a second edge 87 located opposite of the first edge,with the first edge 86 being located relatively higher, and may beadjacent to the underside of the semi-trailer bed, and the second edge87 may be relatively lower. In such embodiments, the second structure 14may comprise a lower panel 88 with an upper edge 90 positioned adjacentto the second edge 87 of the upper panel 80. A gap may be formed betweenthe lower edge 87 of the upper panel and the upper edge 90 of the lowerpanel to facilitate movement of the lower panel with respect to theupper panel, and the gap may be covered by a flap connected to one ofthe panels but free to move with respect to the other of the panels.

The hinge structure 16 may be attached to the upper panel 80, such as ator adjacent to the second edge 87, and the lower panel 88, such as at oradjacent to the lower edge 91. The hinge structure may be mounted on thepanels as a part of a bifurcated mounting frame, with the bifurcatedportions of the frame being mounted on the upper and lower panels andthe hinge structure being located at a pivot between the frame portions.One, or a combination of more than one, of the hinge structures may bemounted at the pivot between the frame portions to provide a suitabledegree of resistance to pivot when adjusted. The hinge structure 16 maythus control the movement of the lower panel 88 with respect to theupper panel 80, and provide an adjustable degree of resistance tomovement of the lower panel with respect to the upper panel. In this waythe resistance may be adjusted so that air pressure acting on the lowerpanel does not move the lower panel, but contact of the lower panel withdebris or the ground surface is able to move the lower panel out of theway of the object to minimize or prevent damage. Optionally, when thelower panel needs to be moved out of the way, such as to performservicing on components on the underside of the trailer bed, the hingestructure can be adjusted (loosened) to permit the lower panel to bepivoted upwardly and then adjusted again (tightened) to hold the lowerpanel in a raised position, such as, for example, in an orientationsubstantially parallel to the ground surface. The lower panel can thenbe returned to a substantially vertical orientation after servicing hasbeen completed.

In other applications, the hinge structure 16 may be advantageouslyutilized on a door or a pass-through gate to provide a degree ofresistance in any tendency of the door or gate to swing shut (or open)without some assistance through force applied to the door or gate by auser. The door may be a door mounted on a building structure or on avehicle or trailer, for example. The gate may be a pass-through gate onan agricultural or a residential or commercial fence. In such anapplication, the first structure may comprise a gate post 100 and thesecond structure may comprise a gate panel 102 to provide an adjustabledegree of resistance of the pivot movement of the gate panel withrespect to the gate post to facilitate holding the gate panel in an opencondition, while passage through the gate opening is performed. The gatemay be connected to the post by one or more primary hinges, and thehinge structure 16 may be utilized in addition to the primary hinge orhinges. The hinge structure may be mounted on the gate post by amounting plate 106, which may have an angle configuration or a U-shapedconfiguration that extends about a portion of the circumference of thepost. Illustratively, one or more fasteners may pass through holes inthe plate and extend into the post to hold the plate 106 to the post. Agate arm 108 may be mounted on the gate panel 102, and may extend alonga portion of the gate panel and may be mounted on one of the bars 110 ofthe gate. The arm 108 may terminate with a loop 112 that loops about thegate bar and functions to move with the gate or resist movement of thegate depending upon the adjustment of the hinge structure. The arm 108may be mounted or otherwise attached to one of the first 34 and second48 connector elements, and the mounting plate 106 may be mounted orotherwise connected to the other one of the first and second connectorelements.

In yet another application, the hinge structure may be beneficially usedin a system of aerodynamic panels mounted on the rear end of asemi-trailer to reduce aerodynamic drag. A panel 120 may be mounted oneach lateral side of the rear end of the enclosed box of a semi-trailerto assist in the transitional flow of air behind the trailer as thetrailer passes through the air during high-speed highway travel. Theusefulness of the panels 120 is limited to times of highway travel, andduring other periods of travel and during loading and unloading of thetrailer it is desirable to move the panels into a position that is closeto the trailer, such as against the rear cargo doors of the trailer. Thehinge structure 16 may be used, alone or in combination withconventional hinges, to mount the panel to the cargo door or side wallof the trailer and may be moved outwardly from the surface of thetrailer when higher speed travel is anticipated, and then returned to aposition adjacent to the trailer surface for slower travel orloading/unloading of cargo. The pivot resistance of the hinge structuremay be adjusted and increased to hold the panel in the operativeposition or the storage position, and then the resistance may bedecreased to permit movement between the operative and storagepositions.

Other embodiments of the hinge structure are possible, such as thoseshown in FIGS. 8 through 11, which are useful for the applicationsdiscussed above as well as other applications, such as adjustable doorholders or stops. In such embodiments, the first assembly 20 comprises afirst connector element 122 that may be connected to one of thestructures 12, 14, and may have a first compression surface 124 whichmay be generally planar in character. The first assembly 20 may alsoinclude a first pivot aperture 126 which may extend through the firstcompression surface 124, and may also extend through the first connectorelement 122. In some applications, the first compression surface 124 maybe substantially horizontally oriented, and may be located on an uppersurface (see e.g., FIG. 8) but may also be located on a lower surface(see e.g., FIG. 11). The first connector element 122 may comprise a barfor connecting to one of the structures 12, 14. In some embodiments aconnector loop 158 may be mountable on one of the structures 12, 14,such as a door of an enclosure, to receive a portion of the connectorelement 122.

The second assembly 36 of the hinge structure may include a plate 128having a second compression surface 130 which may be substantiallyplanar in character and may be formed on a lower surface of the plate.The plate 128 may be substantially circular (although other suitableshapes could be used) and may being substantially horizontally orientedwith the second compression surface also being substantiallyhorizontally oriented. A second pivot aperture 132 may extend throughthe plate 128 and through the second compression surface 130. A secondconnector element 134 may be mounted on the plate 128, and in someembodiments the second connector element may be positioned adjacent toan upper surface of the plate. The second pivot aperture 132 may extendthrough the second connector element 134.

A connector fastener 136 may pass through the first pivot aperture 126of the first assembly and the second pivot aperture 132 of the secondassembly to pivotally connect the first connector element 122 to theplate 128 and the second connector element 134. In some embodiments, theconnector fastener 136 may be tightened to bring these elements towardeach other and may also be loosened to allow these elements to moveapart. The connector fastener 136 may comprise a bolt 138 with a head140 and shaft 142 with a threaded portion, and a nut 144 may be threadedonto the threaded portion of the shaft 142. In some embodiments, acompressible washer 154 may be positioned about the shaft 142 for beingpressed against the elements connected by the connector fastener 136 tobias the elements together, and a rigid washer 156 may also be employedto facilitate the application of pressure to the compressible washer.

In embodiments such as shown in FIGS. 8 through 11, the braking elementmay comprise a friction pad 146 may positioned between the firstcompression surface 124 and the second compression surface 130, and insome embodiments the friction pad is mounted on or otherwise attached tothe first connector element 122 to move with the element 122. In some ofthe illustrative embodiments (see e.g., FIGS. 8 through 10), thefriction pad 146 may include a pair of friction strips 148, 149, and thefriction strips may be positioned on opposite sides of the shaft 142 ofthe connector fastener. In other illustrative embodiments (see e.g.,FIG. 11), the connector fastener may pass through the friction pad 146.In some embodiments, the friction pad, or strips, may be mounted on thefirst connector element 122 by a fastener 150 which may pass through aportion of the friction pad or strips, and a portion of the firstconnector element 122. In other embodiments, the friction pad or stripsmay be mounted on the first connector element 122 by one or more loops152, with the loop or loops being mounted on the first connector elementand receiving a portion of the friction pad or strip extending throughthe loop or loops.

It will be appreciated that the tightening of the connector fastener 136tends to move the first 124 and second 130 compression surfaces towardseach other with the friction pad or strips being positioned therebetweenand the tightening functions to compress the friction pad or strips toenhance the degree of friction between the friction pad and the secondcompression surface (as the friction pad moves with the firstcompression surface) and thus adds a degree of restriction to pivotmovement of the assemblies 20, 36 with respect to each other.Conversely, loosening the connector fastener tends to decrease thecompression of the friction pad and correspondingly decreases the degreeof friction between the friction pad and the second compression surfaceand thus permits freer pivot movement of the assemblies 20, 36 withrespect to each other.

In other aspects of the disclosure, such as the embodiment 160 shown inFIGS. 12 and 13, a first assembly 162 may be configured to be attachedto one of the structures. The first assembly 162 may include a pivotpost 164 which is pivotally mounted on one of the structures of thefirst and second structures. The pivot post 164 may be configured torotate about an axis which may be substantially parallel to an axisabout which the first and second structures pivot with respect to eachother. In some embodiments, the pivot post may be a pin on which thestructures are hingedly connected to each other such that the firstassembly is not directly connected to one of the structures, but isindirectly connected to both through the hinge or pivot mount connectingthe structures. The pivot post 164 may be mounted on at least one, andin some embodiments a pair of, post mounting tabs 166, 168. The firstassembly 162 may also include a first arm 170 which may be mounted onthe pivot post 164 and may extend from the pivot post, such as in aplane that is oriented substantially perpendicular to the first axisabout which the pivot post rotates. The first arm 170 may form a sleevethat receives a portion of the post to thereby mount the arm 170 on thepivot post to rotate with the pivot post, although in other embodimentsthe first arm may rotate freely with respect to the pivot post.

The embodiment 160 may also include a second assembly 172 which isconfigured to be attached to the one of the first and second structures,and usually is connected to the structure that is not directly connectedto the first assembly 162. The second assembly 172 may include a mount174 which is configured to mount on the structure associated with thesecond assembly. The mount 174 may include at least one mounting tab 176and may include a pair of the mounting tabs 176, 178 which may befastened to the respective structure (such as, for example, the panel).The second assembly 172 may also include a second arm 180 which ismounted on the mount 174 in a manner that permits pivot movement of thesecond arm 180 with respect to the amount. The second arm may beelongated in shape, and may generally extend towards the pivot post andfirst arm of the first assembly 162.

One of the first 170 and second 180 arms may have a bayonet section 182and the other arm of the first and second arms may include a sheathsection 184. The bayonet section 182 may be extendable with respect tothe sheath section 184, and in some embodiments the bayonet 182 andsheath 184 sections are telescopic with respect to each other, and maybe telescopically mounted together. In some embodiments, the bayonetsection 182 may be slidably inserted into the sheath section 184. Thebayonet section 182 may have an outer surface 186, and the outer surfacemay be substantially cylindrical in shape although other shapes may beutilized. The sheath section 184 may define a cavity 188 which iscomplementarily shaped with respect to the outer surface 186, and thebayonet section may extend into the cavity and be slidably movable withrespect to the sheath. In the illustrated embodiments of the disclosure,the first arm 170 includes the bayonet section 182, and the second arm180 includes the sheath section 184, although it is possible that theconfiguration may be reversed.

The hinge structure of the embodiments 160 may include a braking element190 which is configured to apply a selectable amount of resistance topivot movement of one structure with respect to the other structure,such as the panel with respect to the base. More specifically, thebraking element 190 may be configured to apply a selectable amount ofresistance to the sliding movement of the bayonet section 182 withrespect to the sheath section 184. The braking element 190 may includeat least one friction pad 192 which is positioned adjacent to a portionof the outer surface 186 of the bayonet section in order to be able tocontact and be pressed against the outer surface. In some embodiments, aplurality of friction pads 192, 193 are employed and may be positionedsubstantially equidistantly from each other about a perimeter of theouter surface of the bayonet section. The friction pads may be separatefrom each other and may be spaced from each other as well.

The braking element 190 may also include a guide band 196 which isconfigured to extend about the bayonet section 182, and the outersurface 186 of the bayonet section. The guide band may be mounted on thesheath section 184 to move as a unit with the sheath as the bayonetsection moves with respect to the sheath section, and the guide band maybe positioned at the end of the sheath section that opens into thecavity 188. The guide band 196 may have at least one guide aperture 198which may extend through the band, and a friction pad may be positionedin each one of the guide apertures. The guide apertures 198 in the guideband may be positioned on the guide band to position and hold theplurality of friction pads in the desired relationship, such as in thesubstantially equidistant relationship about the perimeter of the outersurface of the bayonet section. The guide band 196 may be substantiallycontinuous about the bayonet section in a continuous ring, althoughpartial encirclement may also be employment.

The braking element 190 may also include a pressure band 200 which isconfigured to press the one or more friction pads against the outersurface 186 of the bayonet section to resist movement of the bayonetsection to an adjustable degree of resistance. The pressure band 200 mayextend about the outer surface of the bayonet section, and may extendabout the guide band 196 such that the guide band is located between thepressure band and the outer surface of the bayonet section. The pressureband may be elongated with opposite ends, and may include a first end202 and a second end 203.

The braking element 190 may also include a connecting structure 214 forconnecting the ends of the pressure band in an adjustable manner topermit adjustment of the degree of friction applied by the friction padsto the outer surface and thereby adjust the degree of resistance ofmovement of the arms 170, 180 with respect to each other. The connectingstructure 214 may move the ends 202, 203 of the pressure band 200 closertoward each other to increase the friction applied by the friction padsto the bayonet section, and may permit the ends of the pressure band tomove apart to thereby release or reduce resistance by the friction padsto movement of the bayonet section with respect to the sheath section.The connecting structure and may include a fastener 216 which connectsthe ends 202, 203 of the pressure band together, and tightening of thefastener 216 may move the ends toward each other to increase theresistance to sliding and loosening of the fastener may permit the endsto move apart from each other to decrease the resistance to sliding.Illustratively, of the fastener 216 may have a shaft, a head formed onthe shaft, and a nut threaded on the shaft so that rotation of the nutwith respect to the bolt tightens and loosens the pressure band. Othersuitable fastening devices may also be used.

In some embodiments, the braking element 190 may also include a lockelement 206 which is configured to selectively lock the position of thebayonet section and the sheath section with respect to each other, andmay do so in a manner that is more rigid and unyielding than the brakingassembly. The lock element 206 may be mounted on the sheath section, andmay extend through a lock aperture 208 in the guide band 196 such thatan end 210 of the lock element is able to press against the outersurface 186 of the bayonet section. The lock element may be elongated toact as a handle and provide additional leverage to the fingers of theuser to tighten and loosen the lock function. In some embodiments, aportion of the lock element 206 may be threadedly mounted in the lockaperture 208 of the guide band 196 such that rotation of the lockelement in a first rotational direction presses the end 210 against theouter surface of the bayonet section, and rotation of the lock elementin a second rotational direction reduces any pressure exerted by the end210 against the outer surface of the bayonet section to release ordecrease resistance to sliding movement applied by the lock element ofthe bayonet section with respect to the sheath section.

It should be appreciated that in the foregoing description and appendedclaims, that the terms “substantially” and “approximately,” when used tomodify another term, mean “for the most part” or “being largely but notwholly or completely that which is specified” by the modified term.

It should also be appreciated from the foregoing description that,except when mutually exclusive, the features of the various embodimentsdescribed herein may be combined with features of other embodiments asdesired while remaining within the intended scope of the disclosure.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized thatthe optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the disclosedembodiments and implementations, to include variations in size,materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly anduse, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the artin light of the foregoing disclosure, and all equivalent relationshipsto those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specificationare intended to be encompassed by the present disclosure.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of theprinciples of the disclosure. Further, since numerous modifications andchanges will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is notdesired to limit the disclosed subject matter to the exact constructionand operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitablemodifications and equivalents may be resorted to that fall within thescope of the claims.

I claim:
 1. A hinge structure for connecting a first structure to asecond in a pivotal manner, the hinge structure comprising: a firstassembly configured for pivotally mounting on a first structure and asecond assembly configured for pivotally mounting on a second structurepivotally mounted on the first structure, wherein one of the first andsecond assemblies forms a bayonet section and an other one of the firstand second assemblies forms a sheath section, at least a portion of thebayonet section being slidably inserted into the sheath section, thebayonet section having an outer surface; and a braking elementconfigured to apply a selectable amount of resistance to slidingmovement of the bayonet section with respect to the sheath section, thebraking element being mounted on the sheath section to act on thebayonet section, the braking element comprising: at least one frictionpad positioned adjacent to and in contact with the outer surface of thebayonet section; a pressure band for pressing the at least one frictionpad against the outer surface of the bayonet section, the pressure bandbeing mounted on the sheath section and extending about the bayonetsection, the pressure band being elongated with opposite ends; and aconnecting structure connecting the ends of the pressure band and beingadjustable to move the ends of the pressure band closer toward eachother to increase pressure on the at least one friction pad against thebayonet and being adjustable to relax the ends away from each other todecrease pressure on the at least one friction pad against the bayonet.2. The hinge structure of claim 1 wherein the braking element includesat least two friction pads.
 3. The hinge structure of claim 2 whereinthe at least two friction pads are separate and spaced from each otherabout the outer surface of the bayonet section.
 4. The hinge structureof claim 1 wherein the at least one friction pad includes at least threefriction pads, and the at least three friction pads are substantiallyequidistantly spaced from each other.
 5. The hinge structure of claim 2wherein the braking element includes a guide band extending about theouter surface of the bayonet section, the at least two friction padseach being positioned in a guide aperture formed in the guide band. 6.The hinge structure of claim 1 wherein the connecting structurecomprises a fastener connecting the ends of the pressure band such thattightening of the fastener moves the ends toward each other andloosening the fastener permits the ends to move apart.
 7. The hingestructure of claim 6 wherein the fastener has a shaft at least partiallythreaded, a head formed on the shaft, and a nut threaded on the shaftthat is tightenable to bring the ends of the pressure band toward eachother and decrease the effective circumference of the pressure band. 8.The hinge structure of claim 1 additionally comprising a lock elementconfigured to selectively lock a position of the bayonet section withrespect to the sheath section, the lock element being mounted on thesheath section.
 9. The hinge structure of claim 8 wherein the lockelement extends through a lock aperture in a guide band mounted on thesheath section and extending about the bayonet section, a portion of thelock element being threadedly mounted in the lock aperture of the guideband such that rotation of the lock element in a first rotationaldirection presses the end of the lock element against the outer surfaceof the bayonet section and rotation of the lock element in a secondrotational direction reduces pressure of the end of the lock element onthe outer surface of the bayonet section.
 10. A system comprising: afirst structure; a second structure; and A hinge structure forconnecting a first structure to a second in a pivotal manner, the hingestructure comprising: a first assembly pivotally mounted on the firststructure and a second assembly pivotally mounted on the secondstructure, wherein one of the first and second assemblies forms abayonet section and an other one of the first and second assembliesforms a sheath section, at least a portion of the bayonet section beingslidably inserted into the sheath section, the bayonet section having anouter surface; and a braking element configured to apply a selectableamount of resistance to sliding movement of the bayonet section withrespect to the sheath section, the braking element being mounted on thesheath section to act on the bayonet section, the braking elementcomprising: at least one friction pad positioned adjacent to and incontact with the outer surface of the bayonet section; a pressure bandfor pressing the at least one friction pad against the outer surface ofthe bayonet section, the pressure band being mounted on the sheathsection and extending about the bayonet section, the pressure band beingelongated with opposite ends; and a connecting structure connecting theends of the pressure band and being adjustable to move the ends of thepressure band closer toward each other to increase pressure on the atleast one friction pad against the bayonet and being adjustable to relaxthe ends away from each other to decrease pressure on the at least onefriction pad against the bayonet.
 11. The system of claim 10 wherein thebraking element includes at least two friction pads.
 12. The system ofclaim 11 wherein the at least two friction pads are separate and spacedfrom each other about the outer surface of the bayonet section.
 13. Thesystem of claim 10 wherein the at least one friction pad includes atleast three friction pads, and the at least three friction pads aresubstantially equidistantly spaced from each other.
 14. The system ofclaim 11 wherein the braking element includes a guide band extendingabout the outer surface of the bayonet section, the at least twofriction pads each being positioned in a guide aperture formed in theguide band.
 15. The system of claim 10 wherein the connecting structurecomprises a fastener connecting the ends of the pressure band such thattightening of the fastener moves the ends toward each other andloosening the fastener permits the ends to move apart.
 16. The system ofclaim 15 wherein the fastener has a shaft at least partially threaded, ahead formed on the shaft, and a nut threaded on the shaft that istightenable to bring the ends of the pressure band toward each other anddecrease the effective circumference of the pressure band.
 17. Thesystem of claim 10 additionally comprising a lock element configured toselectively lock a position of the bayonet section with respect to thesheath section, the lock element being mounted on the sheath section.18. The system of claim 17 wherein the lock element extends through alock aperture in a guide band mounted on the sheath section andextending about the bayonet section, a portion of the lock element beingthreadedly mounted in the lock aperture of the guide band such thatrotation of the lock element in a first rotational direction presses theend of the lock element against the outer surface of the bayonet sectionand rotation of the lock element in a second rotational directionreduces pressure of the end of the lock element on the outer surface ofthe bayonet section.